Install hardware peripherals to a
stand alone PC
Minimal disruption to the client
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Installing and configuring hardware peripherals
3
What are drivers?
3
What is plug and play?
3
Installing a printer
4
Installing a scanner
6
Installing a digital camera
8
Testing
Printer
9
Scanner
10
Digital camera
10
What is a test plan?
10
Summary
Check your progress
Reading: Install hardware peripherals to a stand alone PC
2005
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1
Minimal disruption to the client
One of the most important considerations when installing a new hardware
peripheral is to try and install the device with the least amount of disruption
to the client. A client may not be very happy if you install a piece of
hardware equipment while they are creating an urgent report. It is important
to schedule installation times that are:
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also suitable to the client’s or computer user’s schedules
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of a sufficient length to install and thoroughly test the hardware device.
To achieve this, make sure that you are aware of:

common organisational procedures that regularly need to be
performed on the computer (for example, end of month processing or
weekly backups) and plan installations outside these periods

current projects, deadlines and schedules of the client/user.
Installations should be scheduled for times such as:

quiet periods (for example, during holiday periods)

before or after normal office hours

while the client/user is out of the office

when the client will not be needing their computer.
It can be difficult to work out how long it will take to install a peripheral
device. It will vary according to the type of device, current operating
system, problems requiring troubleshooting and the experience of the
installer. If you will be regularly performing installations, keeping a log of
installations — noting the time required and problems experienced — could
help to estimate the time spent on future installations.
Once you have arranged a suitable time, make sure you adhere to it or give
advanced notice if you will be delayed. Remember that clients may have
scheduled their daily workload around the installation.
Also consider the timeframe expected by client when installing new
hardware. If you work for a busy organisation it may be necessary to work
out a daily to-do list. Order tasks with priority given to installations that
perform critical functions or have been waiting to be done for the longest
amount of time.
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Reading: Install hardware peripherals to a stand alone PC
2005
Installing and configuring hardware
peripherals
With the large variety of computer systems, operating systems, peripheral
types and features, and manufacturers, each peripheral device will have its
own individual installation procedure. It is important to refer to
manufacturer guidelines and manuals when installing any hardware device
to ensure that all procedures are correctly followed.
Procedures which are generally followed when installing any new peripheral
device include:
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plugging in the cables between the device and the computer
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installing any drivers
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troubleshooting installation when necessary
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customising the device
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testing the device for satisfying required conditions.
What are drivers?
Whenever you install a hardware peripheral device, you will also have to
install a driver. A driver is a software program that allows the hardware
device to talk to the operating system.
Generally, driver software will be included within the packaging of a new
device. Sometimes operating systems, such as Windows XP, automatically
provide their own drivers if you don’t provide one. At times it may be
necessary to find a newer version of a driver than the one that has been
provided by the manufacturer. It is a good idea to regularly check the
manufacturer’s website to see if any new drivers have been developed.
What is plug and play?
Plug and play is a hardware technology that enables many operating systems
to automatically recognise new hardware devices and configure them
automatically. Most USB devices support plug and play.
Reading: Install hardware peripherals to a stand alone PC
2005
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Installing a printer
1 Obtain the correct printer cable
In many cases a printer won’t automatically have a cable included with the
original purchase. Check the printer specifications — you will probably
need to buy either a parallel or USB cable.
2 Plug in the cable
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Turn off the power to both the printer and the computer.
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Plug the printer cable into the correct port of the PC — depending on
the type of printer the port will most likely to be either a USB or a
parallel port located on the back of the computer. If you are plugging
the cable into a parallel port connection you will need to secure the
cable by either tightening small screws or snapping in wire connectors.
3 Install ink
Depending on the printer you have you may need to install an ink cartridge
(for inkjet printers) or toner cartridge (for laser printers). Turn the
computer’s power on and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to install a
new cartridge.
4 Install the printer driver
At some point the computer will either recognise that new hardware has
been installed (for example if the operating system is plug and play
compatible) or you will need to tell the computer that a new device has been
added. In either case, you will at some stage be asked for the printer model
and a printer driver. Make sure you install the printer driver at this stage.
Sometimes the installation CD will automatically run, installing the printer
driver at the same time.
5 Print a test page
Often at the end of the driver installation you will be asked if you would like
to print a test page. This is a good idea because you can quickly determine if
the printer is working correctly. If not you can troubleshoot the installation.
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Reading: Install hardware peripherals to a stand alone PC
2005
6 Troubleshoot printer installation (when necessary)
If a page is not able to print it is necessary to go back and determine why the
printer is not working. There are a number of factors that can contribute to
printer problems including:

cables between printer and computer are not properly connected

printer driver is not suitable for the current operating system

paper is loaded incorrectly

ink cartridge or toner is not correctly installed

printer power switch is off.
Suggested solutions for common printer problems
A blank page is coming out of the printer

You may have run out of ink or toner. Replace ink cartridge or toner.

Make sure that your printer has been set to the default setting.
The document is printing on the wrong part of the page

Check that you have aligned printer to the correct orientation (portrait
or landscape).

Make sure the margins have been set correctly in the software
program you are using (eg the word processor or desktop publishing
package).

Make sure that the paper has been loaded correctly.
The quality of the printout is poor

If the printer is an inkjet the heads of the ink cartridge may need to be
cleaned.

Some printers have software that allows you to change the quality of
the printout from draft to best quality.
Customising the printer
Depending on your client’s needs, there may be a need to alter the default
printer settings. Some settings that may be customised include:

Changing the Page Layout — a page may need to be printed in either
landscape or portrait orientation.

Changing the Paper Source — depending on the complexity of the
printer there may be a variety of trays the printer has available to use.
Reading: Install hardware peripherals to a stand alone PC
2005
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
Changing the Print Quality — depending on the printer use, a client
may require best, normal or draft quality of print.

Setting the Default Printer — if there is more than one printer
attached to a computer, you may need to change the settings so that
the newer model is considered the default model.
Installing a scanner
Scanners can attach to a computer generally via a USB or a parallel port
connection.
1 Turn off the computer and position the scanner
Before commencing installation, turn of power to the computer and place
the scanner on a level surface, close enough to the computer so that the
cable will be able to attach to both devices.
2 Unlock the scanner
Many scanners have a lock on the bottom to make sure that components are
not dislodged when transporting. Make sure that you unlock the scanner
before commencing installation.
3 Plug in the cable
Plug the cable into either the USB or parallel port connection, depending on
the type of scanner.
4 Turn on the scanner
Some scanners will have a power cord that will need to be plugged into a
power outlet. Other scanners are dependent on power from the computer.
Some scanners will also have an on/off switch, which will also need to be
turned on.
5 Turn on the PC
When you turn on your computer, most operating systems will recognise
that new hardware has been added (eg it is plug and play compatible). If it
hasn’t recognised the new scanner you may need to tell your computer that a
new device has been added.
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Reading: Install hardware peripherals to a stand alone PC
2005
6 Insert the scanner driver
At some point you will be asked if you have a disk for your scanner. This
generally means the computer is requesting you provide it with the disk
containing the driver software.
7 Scan a test image
Ensure that the scanner is working by performing a scan of a book or
magazine page.
8 Troubleshoot scanner installation (if necessary)
Suggested solutions for common scanner problems
Scanner making a clicking sound
Check that the scanner lock is in the unlock position.
Unable to scan anything
Make sure that the scanner is plugged in and all cables are connected
properly.
Customise the scanner
Many scanners will also have extra software you can use for scanning.
Check the scanner manual to see whether your scanner has additional
software. Install the additional software — it will probably be useful for
scanning text and performing basic image editing functions. The software
may also allow you ability to adjust settings such as dpi (dots per inch),
colour, black and white or greyscale. Make sure you modify settings for
normal scanning requirements.
Reading: Install hardware peripherals to a stand alone PC
2005
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Installing a digital camera
1 Check the camera equipment
Before connecting a digital camera to a computer you firstly need to check
that it is capable of working on its own. Measures that need to be taken
include:

Inserting a memory card — The majority of digital cameras need
you to install a memory card to store the images that are captured.

Installing batteries — Make sure to install batteries into the battery
component of the camera.
2 Turn on the camera’s power
Make sure that you have switched on the camera before trying to connect
the device to the computer.
3 Connect the camera
The majority of digital cameras will connect to the computer with a USB
cable.
4 Install the camera software
In most cases your computer will recognise that you have added new
hardware. At this stage you may be prompted to install software (including
software drivers) on your computer.
5 Test the connection between camera and computer
Using the software installed on the computer, try to transfer some photos
from the camera to the computer.
6 Troubleshoot camera installation (if necessary)
Suggested solutions for common camera problems
Camera is not recognised by the computer
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
The camera may not be properly connected to the computer.

Check that the cable and its connectors are in good condition.

Battery charge may not be sufficient. Ensure that batteries are charged
sufficiently to allow transfer of photos.
Reading: Install hardware peripherals to a stand alone PC
2005
Testing
In addition to ensuring a device is able to perform a basic task (such as
printing a test page or scanning an image) it is also necessary that all
functionality required by the client is tested. When new peripheral
equipment is not tested for critical functions before being used, it can lead to
malfunction, causing large disruptions to clients and potentially damage
other parts of a computer system. If, for example, a new external zip drive
has not been tested to check it will be capable of making backups of specific
files, it could mean that vital information of the client’s could be destroyed
if those backups were not successful.
Ensure that all new installations are thoroughly tested after initial setup and
prior to use by the client. Depending on the device, different functions will
need to be tested.
Devices that have components that are known to degrade with time,
especially printers, should also be tested periodically. Printers need to be
routinely tested, as components such as the ink cartridges and toner can
cause deterioration of print quality and may require maintenance and/or
cleaning.
All tests should be completed according to a documented test plan.
Some suggestions of functions that may be tested for a printer, scanner and
digital camera devices are included below.
Printer
Printer functions that may be tested are:

Can the printer handle different paper types (for example A4, A5,
foolscap, thick, thin, overhead transparencies)?

Will the printer work successfully on different computers?

Will the printer work successfully with different software packages
(for example, word processing, spreadsheets and desktop publishing)?

Is black and white print quality acceptable to clients?

Is colour print quality acceptable to clients?
Reading: Install hardware peripherals to a stand alone PC
2005
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Scanner
Scanner functions that may be tested are:

Is the resolution of a scanned image an acceptable quality?

Does the scanner work correctly with different software packages (eg
a word processor or desktop publishing package)?

Can the scanner handle items of unusual size and thickness (eg a large
book or cardboard poster)?

Does the OCR software scan a document successfully?

Will the scanner work successfully on other computers?
Digital camera
Camera functions that may be tested are:

Are all the camera images transferred correctly from the camera to the
computer?

Does the camera software allow sufficient editing of the photo images
(eg rotating, cropping, reducing red-eye)?

Will the digital camera work successfully on other computers?
What is a test plan?
A test plan is used to work out a structured process to ensure that a new
device will work under all expected circumstances. It logically describes:
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functions that need to be tested
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an example test case scenario
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expected results for each scenario
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what actually happened once the test has been performed.
Example test case scenarios should simulate realistic work patterns — ie the
scenario should realistically demonstrate if a function will be satisfactory
after implementation.
Because testing is so critical to the successful implementation of the new
device, it is important that a test plan is comprehensive and considers every
way a device will need to function after implementation. It is useful to refer
back to the client requirements so that you will remember functions that will
regularly be expected by the client.
On the next page is a test plan, with selected scenarios, to ensure that a
printer is working to acceptable client requirements.
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Reading: Install hardware peripherals to a stand alone PC
2005
Reading: Install hardware peripherals to a stand alone PC
2005
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Summary
There are many things to consider when installing a peripheral device. After
ensuring that the installation will take place at an appropriate time, it is then
time to work out how to install the device. All devices will install slightly
differently, depending on factors such as the type of device, manufacturer
and model, and the operating system of the computer. General guidelines to
follow when installing a device include:
1
plugging in the cables between the device and the computer
2
installing any drivers
3
troubleshooting the installation when necessary
4
customising the device
5
testing the device.
Check your progress
Now you should try and do the Practice activities in this topic. If you’ve
already tried them, have another go and see if you can improve your
responses.
When you feel ready, try the ‘Check your understanding’ activity in the
Preview section of this topic. This will help you decide if you’re ready for
assessment.
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Reading: Install hardware peripherals to a stand alone PC
2005